When Do Floors Cause Slip-And-Fall Accidents?

Many slip-and-fall accidents happen as a result of problems with flooring. If the floor is uneven, slippery, dirty or in a state of disorder, it can present a slipping or tripping hazard to property guests.

Here are a few of the most common floor-related hazards that property owners need to look out for and immediately resolve if they want to avoid becoming liable for a tragic accident:

• When a danger is present — like a wet floor — but the property owner doesn’t put out a warning or sign to notify property guests.
• When a property owner leaves a known hazard unguarded, so that anyone could stumble upon it.
• When there’s too much polish or wax on the floor, when wax and polish are used unevenly or when the owner fails to use nonslip wax where it’s needed.
• Carpets with torn, broken, worn out or bulging areas.
• Rugs that have curled edges, holes and parts that stick up from it.
• Objects that are caught in carpet that can trip people.

Any person who owns or maintains a property that others enter and visit must make a reasonable effort to make sure the property is safe. Not only is this the ethical thing to do, but it’s also the property owner’s legal obligation.

Numerous people get seriously hurt because an unexpected property hazard caused them to slip or fall. If an accident occurred and injuries like this happened to you, try to determine if the incident could have been prevented if the property owner had been more responsible. If the answer is yes, you might want to explore your legal rights and options.

Source: FindLaw, “Conditions Leading to Indoor Slip and Fall Accidents,” accessed May 18, 2018